Norway secured an emphatic 4-1 win against Slovenia in a thrilling UEFA Nations League (UNL) encounter. This victory ended a run of four games without a win and made it three wins in four matches, propelling them level with group leaders Austria. Erling Haaland’s brilliance and Antonio Nusa’s double ensured the Norwegians stayed firmly in the hunt for the top spot, with their final match against Kazakhstan in Oslo still to come.
Early Drama as Nusa and Šeško Exchange Blows
The match kicked off electrically, and Norway wasted no time grabbing the lead. Within four minutes, 18-year-old Antonio Nusa dazzled the Slovenian defense with quick footwork, weaving through players before slotting home at the near post. It was the perfect start for the visitors, putting Slovenia on the back foot from the outset.
However, the Slovenians showed resilience and quickly responded. In the 12th minute, Jan Mlakar’s header rattled the crossbar, and as he collided with a Norwegian defender, the referee, Michael Oliver, awarded a penalty. Slovenia’s star striker, Benjamin Šeško, made no mistake from the spot, calmly equalizing to get the home crowd roaring once again.
Haaland Threatens but Norway Reclaims Lead
The match continued to flow end-to-end, and Norway’s talisman, Erling Haaland, almost restored his team’s lead with a stunning first-time strike from outside the box, only to see the ball crash against the woodwork. The game’s relentless pace kept both defenses on edge, and Šeško had a golden chance to give Slovenia the lead just before halftime. Breaking through Norway’s defence, he was denied by the quick reactions of Egil Selvik, who rushed off his line to block the RB Leipzig striker.
Norway hit back just as it looked like Slovenia finished the half stronger. Sander Berge slipped a delightful pass to Haaland, who calmly slotted the ball past Jan Oblak to give Norway a 2-1 advantage at the break.
Slovenia Come Close but Norway Pull Away
The second half began with another close call for Norway. Slovenia’s Šeško once again threatened, stealing the ball on the edge of the Norwegian box and rounding the goalkeeper. Yet, Torbjørn Heggem’s superb goal-line clearance kept Norway in front, a moment that proved decisive.
Minutes later, Nusa, a constant thorn in Slovenia’s side, doubled Norway’s lead. Drifting inside from the left wing, he unleashed a powerful shot into the far corner, leaving Oblak no chance. Norway was now 3-1 up, and Slovenia’s hopes quickly faded.
Matjaž Kek, Slovenia’s coach, made five changes in a desperate attempt to salvage something from the match. However, Norway won in the 83rd minute with a fourth goal. Substitute Jens Petter Hauge linked up with Haaland and slid the ball past Oblak to cap off a dominant Norwegian performance.
Norway Eyes Top Spot in Final UNL Clash
With this commanding victory, Norway moved level on points with Austria at the top of the group, leaving everything to play for on the final matchday. Haaland and his teammates will host Kazakhstan in Oslo, while Austria faces Slovenia. Norway knows a win could see them top the group and secure a direct path to the play-offs.
Norway’s performance was a statement of intent, with Haaland and Nusa showing why they are crucial to their nation’s footballing ambitions. The Norwegians will now look to carry this momentum into their clash with Kazakhstan.
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Conclusion
Norway’s 4-1 victory over Slovenia showcased their attacking prowess, with Haaland and Nusa playing pivotal roles in securing the win. With just one match remaining, Norway hopes to top their group alive. Football fans across Kenya will watch closely as the Norwegians take on Kazakhstan, with dreams of UEFA Nations League play-offs within reach.For those looking to take their passion for football to the next level, BangSports is the perfect platform to place your bets and be part of the action.